Benue State governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has charged members of the newly inaugurated APC Benue South Diplomats for Tinubu/Alia/Ode 2027 to drive grassroots mobilization, promote unity and market the achievements of government ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The charge was given on Saturday during the official inauguration of the zonal, local government and ward executive committees of the group held in Otukpo.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Sam Ode
described the inauguration as historic, and commended the convener, Hon. Nicodemus Ode, for his initiative, commitment and foresight. He said the structured expansion of the organization across wards and LGAs in Benue South Senatorial District shows the growing enthusiasm of the people to contribute to the political development of the state and nation.
He clarified that the APC Benue South Diplomats for Tinubu/Alia/Ode 2027 is not “merely another support group” but a platform with a clearly defined objective, to mobilize Zone C for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Hyacinth Alia; and himself as Deputy Governor. He added that the group must also work to deliver all APC senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates from Benue South.
The governor said the 2027 election will be a significant moment for the party and for Benue State, as it will determine whether the state continues “on the path of progress, reforms, development, and good governance.”
He highlighted the achievements of his administration since assuming office, including rebuilding institutions, improving infrastructure, strengthening education and health, supporting citizens, and restoring confidence in government. “These efforts require continuity and stability to achieve their full potential,” he said.
Governor Alia tasked the new executives to begin work from the grassroots. “The ward is the foundation of our political structure. The local government provides the organizational bridge, while the zonal leadership provides coordination and direction. Therefore, your inauguration today is not simply ceremonial; it is indeed a call to duty,” he said.
He urged them to engage communities, listen to concerns, and communicate government programs. He also charged them to be ambassadors of peace and to avoid insults and misinformation. “Politics should not be reduced to insults, character assassination, and the spreading of misinformation and falsehood. Our campaign must be issue-driven, peaceful, and respectful of the dignity of every citizen,” he stated.
Addressing insecurity, the governor said there is “light at the end of the tunnel” for Benue South. He announced that President Tinubu has created additional divisions of the Nigerian Army across the country, with one headquartered in Makurdi. “Consequently, towns like Otukpo, Katsina-Ala, and the rest of them are going to play host to units and battalions of the Nigerian Army, thus making the response time to criminality and all kinds of insecurity faster and quicker. I think we should clap for the President,” he said.
On the economy, he disclosed that the state government has inaugurated a Steering Committee to support the development of oil wells discovered in Ogbadibo, Okpokwu and Apa LGAs. The committee is headed by Ambassador Nicholas Ella of Okpokwu. He said he has approved the establishment of a desk office in Otukpo for the oil wells and has directed the Ministry of Works to construct access roads to all well sites immediately.
“Idoma is going to become an oil-bearing community. Our young people will have jobs, and those who want to engage in the business of oil and gas will also have an opportunity,” he said, adding that the Petroleum Industry Act guarantees benefits for host communities.
Governor Alia emphasized the need for unity and warned against divisive tendencies within the party. “We must build a united and purposeful political family that is capable of articulating the interests of Benue State. Let us avoid parallel political structures,” he said.
“Anyone who engages in any act that is capable of destabilizing this party by encouraging multiple parallel structures to the party, whether at the ward, local government, or senatorial district level, will be severely punished.”
He also charged the executives to develop comprehensive grassroots strategies, engage supporters and undecided voters, and avoid coercion. “Democracy is about persuasion. Our task is to convince our people through our message, our record of service, and our vision for the future,” he said.
Father Alia reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the development and well-being of the people of Zone C and the entire state. He called for collective mobilization for the re-election of President Tinubu, himself, his deputy and all APC candidates, expressing confidence that “with unity, commitment, and effective grassroots mobilization, victory in 2027 is achievable.”
In his remarks, the Benue State APC Chairman, Chief Benjamin Omale, speaking on behalf of the State Working Committee, congratulated the convener for the initiative.
“I want to sincerely congratulate the convener for this laudable cause. At this time, we needed a strong political group in line with the vision, in line with the past election process,” he said.
He described the inauguration as “the formal birth of a strategic platform designed to promote political diplomacy, unity, reconciliation, grassroots engagement.” He pledged the support of the State Working Committee to the group.
Chairman of the occasion and APC Benue South Senatorial Candidate, Hon. Francis Agbo, who was represented by Hon. Kennedy Angbo, member representing Otukpo/Akpa in the Benue State House of Assembly, commended the turnout and urged members to focus on delivering the President, Governor, Deputy Governor and himself as Senato as well as other candidates on the platform of the APC
He highlighted achievements of both the federal and state governments, citing the ongoing federal road projects including Makurdi -Otukpo road, and state road interventions in Otukpo, Agatu and Otukpo, which he said demonstrate the commitment of President Tinubu and Governor Alia to Zone C.
Responding to the group’s requests, he announced the donation of an office accommodation to the Diplomats and assured that all other demands, including a campaign vehicle and uniforms, would be addressed in consultation with the Governor and Deputy Governor. “If they don’t do it, hold the Deputy Governor responsible,” he said.
Convener of the group, Chief Nicodemus Ode, said the support structure was born out of his passion to see the continuity of the Tinubu/Shettima presidency and the Alia/Ode administration in Benue State. He noted that the group now has executive committees in all nine local government areas and 102 wards across Benue South, and is in the process of appointing polling unit supervisors.
Chief Ode described the group as a vibrant and dynamic platform aimed at mobilizing voters “in an unprecedented number.” He said members have been provided with branded uniforms to create a distinct identity during campaigns and pledged “street-to-street, home-to-home, door-to-door” mobilization for all APC candidates.
He appealed to the state government and party candidates for logistical support, listing three key needs: office accommodation at the zonal headquarters, a branded vehicle for campaign movement, and uniforms for youth leaders, women leaders and polling unit supervisors. He also requested inclusion of the group in the state campaign council.
The convener charged the nine zonal and LGA coordinators to immediately appoint youth and women leaders in their areas, unite members, and begin voter education and mobilization. He warned that the group maintains “100% loyalty” to Governor Alia, Deputy Governor, Ode and all APC candidates, and vowed to remove any member found engaging in anti-party activities.
He urged members to leverage their numbers and grassroots presence to ensure victory for the APC across Benue South in 2027, describing the inauguration as proof that Zone C remains “the heartbeat of APC in Benue State.”
